Madam, - I watched my television in shock as the full impact of the tsunamis in Asia unfolded, revealing the beginning of a nightmare for countless thousands of people. Within 24 hours of the disaster, many tourists have already been flown home while the unfortunate locals have nowhere to go and nothing to do but wait for hunger and disease to arrive.
I also read The Irish Times, which was packed with advertisements for the winter sales now getting into full swing in Ireland. Many of the sale items will have been manufactured, in regions devastated by the tsunamis, by low-paid women and child workers who have nothing to look forward to at the best of times.
And now they have to deal with this. So, in our frenzy to snap up bargains in the winter sales, let us pause for a moment and give generously to help these accursed people in their darkest hour. - Yours, etc.,
KEVIN KENNY,
Castleknock Gate.,
Dublin 15.
Madam, - It is cruel how nature conspires with unjust economic structures to further wreck the lives of people living in the underdeveloped regions of South Asia. - Yours, etc.,
BRENDAN BUTLER,
Pennock Hill,
Swords,
Co Dublin.